BREAKING THE COMPLAINT HABIT

“How to Stop Complaining Before It Stops Us.”

TEXT: Philippians 2:14-15

I. WHY DO PEOPLE GRUMBLE AND COMPLAIN?

Where does complaining come from?

- Longing to be blameless

- Longing for the good old days

- Longing for what’s rightfully mine

- Refusal to have our faith stretched

All these things are at the root of why COMPLAINTS R’ US    

II. HOW DO WE STOP THE COMPLAINING?

Step One: Become _______________ of how much we complain

The nation of Israel complained against God over and over. (See: Ex.16:2-3 and 17:3; Num 14:2-4 and 16:3, 11 & 41)

Oftentimes the most difficult part in learning how to change our complaining is recognizing it in ourselves.

Step Two: Admit that our complaining is a _______________.

Complaining is sin for several reasons.

1. Complaining hurts you.

2. Complaining hurts those who have to listen to your complaining.

3. Complaining hurts God because complaining is an attack on God’s character.

"You will know that it was the LORD when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the L." (Ex 16:8)

4. Complaining hurts your witness

Step Three: Accept personal ____________________ for weaknesses.

Galatians 6:5 “We are each responsible for our own conduct.”

Step Four: Develop An Attitude of ______________________.

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." (I Thess 5:18)

The greatest antidote for complaining is appreciation. 

Step Five – Look for God’s _______________ in your circumstances.

(See II Corinthians 4:17-18)

Step Six – Develop the art of speaking _____________________.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."  (Eph 4:29)

Step Seven - Ask God to show you what you can do to help someone else. 

IV. WHEN THE COMPLAINING STOPS, WHAT ADVANTAGE WILL COME?

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe (Phil. 2:14-15)

 ✗ You will be viewed as Godly.

 ✗ You will be viewed as a person of integrity.

 ✗ You will shine in other’s eyes.